Martin Docherty-Hughes, MP for West Dunbartonshire, has added his backing to the latest fundraising campaign to help get the Maid of the Loch sailing again.
The SNP MP paid a visit to the Maid at its berth in Balloch to meet with volunteers and add his support to the campaign to restore the famous ship to its former glory.
A crowdfunding appeal launched for the installation of a new steam boiler for the Maid of the Loch has now topped £60,000 thanks to the generous donations of supporters.
The fundraiser is part of Loch Lomond Steamship Company’s efforts to raise the £1m necessary to secure the release of £3.8m of lottery cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Martin Docherty-Hughes MP has lodged a motion in in the House of Commons highlighting the Maid to Sail campaign and praising the community’s efforts to get the paddle steamer sailing again on Loch Lomond.
Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“The Maid of the Loch is a fantastic asset for the communities of West Dunbartonshire and it’s great to see so many people get behind the final push to help get her sailing again.
“Like many people in West Dunbartonshire and across Scotland I have very fond memories of Loch Lomond’s iconic paddle steamer.
“The Maid of the Loch’s charitable board and its volunteers have been working tirelessly for many years to restore her to her former glory. Thanks to their efforts, and the generous support of many of the Maid of the Loch’s supporters, we’re very close to realising that ambition.
“All donations to the crowdfunder, no matter how small, are very welcome and every penny raised goes towards helping get this beautiful ship sailing once again.”
To find out how to support the campaign to get the Maid of the Loch sailing again please visit: www.maidoftheloch.org/support-the-maid
Early Day Motion (EDM 615) lodged by Martin Docherty-Hughes MP
Maid to Sail Campaign – That this House thanks Bill Paterson, Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain for joining the campaign to restore the Maid of the Loch; understands that they have created a short film about the famous ship as part of a fundraising campaign to restore it to its former glory; notes that the Loch Lomond Steamship Charity will be granted £3.8 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund if it can raise £1 million on its own; and believes that the help of all three of the film’s creators is a huge boost to the community’s efforts and to the volunteers who are tirelessly working to ensure that the Maid is fit to Sail Loch Lomond once more.
